B-1 / B-2 visits
For business meetings, tourism and family visits. Applicants explain the trip, how it will be funded and their plans to leave afterwards. These visas do not authorise US employment.
VISAS & RESIDENCE
US visas & Green Cards
US routes cover short business and leisure visits, family reunification, employment-based immigration and investor immigration. The suitable category depends on your purpose, family connections, professional profile or qualifying investment.
Short visits
B-1 / B-2
Settlement
Family / employment Green Card
Protection
Separate asylum assessment
Routes & eligibility
Family immigration
US citizens and permanent residents can petition for qualifying relatives. Eligible relationships, visa limits and waiting periods depend on the sponsor’s status and family category.
EB-1 / EB-2 / EB-3
EB-1 includes extraordinary-ability and other priority categories. EB-2 covers advanced degrees or exceptional ability, with a possible national-interest waiver (NIW). EB-3 includes professionals and skilled workers, generally with employer sponsorship.
EB-5 investor immigration
For applicants meeting qualifying investment and job-creation requirements. Investment structure, lawful capital and employment evidence matter; an ordinary home purchase alone does not qualify.
Application documents
Start with your passport, US immigration history and purpose. Green Card assessment then adds family evidence, qualifications and achievements, employer details or investment and funding records for the chosen route.
Understanding the costs
Visitor and immigrant applications have different fee structures. Green Card costs can include petitions, consular processing or adjustment, medical examinations, translation and professional services. EB-5 adds investment capital and project costs.
Application process
Select a category
Match the visit or immigration category to the applicant’s qualifications.
File the application or petition
Visitor applicants normally use DS-160; immigrant routes require the relevant petition and visa availability.
Interview & next formalities
Overseas cases use consular processing; eligible applicants in the US may use adjustment of status.
Frequently asked questions
Does NIW require a US employer?
Applicants who meet EB-2 and national-interest-waiver requirements may self-petition without a job offer or labour certification. The NIW criteria still need to be established.
Can I work on a visitor visa?
B-1/B-2 does not permit US employment. A work plan requires the appropriate visa or employment authorisation under an eligible status.
Asylum & protection in the US
People facing persecution or a well-founded fear on protected grounds, including political opinion, can explore asylum procedures, deadlines and evidence requirements.
Read the asylum guide ↗Sources & review date
Source review: . General programme information, not individual legal advice.